A very terrible, no good, bad day.

So I had a pretty terrible weekend. Friday night I had planned to drive home to the Farm to spend Mother's Day weekend with my parents. I had to teach Friday night, so that afternoon I decided to run out to the library and pick up some books I had placed on hold. I was envisioning sitting outside on the deck in their porch swing reading all weekend. It was a beautiful thought.

Alas, it did not happen.

As I was leaving the library, the light started turning and I pressed on my brakes to stop, and my foot went all the way to the floor board. I sailed straight through the red light, at a curve, and in front of 4 lanes of traffic. To say I was terrified is an understatement. I can honestly say it is only because of God that I am alive now. I should have been in a big accident, but he saved me.

I didn't know what to do, or how to stop. So I ended up coasting all of the way back to my townhouse. Only pressing on the gas when I had to go thru an intersection. I tried to keep at least 2 cars distance between me and the semi in front of me, but he still stopped without warning several times, and I really should have plowed right into the back of him. I stomped so hard on my brakes that my foot practically went thru the floor board. Again, I can say it was all because of God that I am alive and well. It took me over 45 mins to get back to my house. (It's usually a 10-15 minute drive)

By the time I got back safely I was shaking from head to toe and all I could do was Praise the Lord for keeping me safe. The whole ride home, and as I was sailing through that red light, all I did was pray. Rather loudly at times :), but I prayed non stop.

Once I got home and calmed down I called my Mom and later talked to my Dad when he got out of the field, and we discovered as you will see in the photo below, Brake Line-BROKEN! The big puddle was the brake fluid that I put into my truck it just dripped right out.

So Saturday morning I got up and Mom came to town to pick me up, and we called Triple A and my poor baby got towed.

See the huge puddle?

 And yes, I took pictures of the whole thing.

 The guy thought it was Mom's truck since she made it outside first when he arrived, so he had her get in it and turn the wheels as he lifted it up on the flat bed. I was highly amused.

 My poor baby. Ignore the slightly wacko look on my face, I was trying to look pathetic but my Mom was being funny so I'm squelching a laugh.

 All loaded up and headed home to the farm. Don't get too excited about my license plate, I got a new one that afternoon :)

 An hour later, home at last!!! My Uncle's wife was next door mowing the lawn and she almost ran into a pine tree when she saw my truck like this. hahah

Safe and sound.

Thankfully my Dad is a master mechanic, well mine at least! And he got my brakes fixed! The Brake Line was totally rusted through, to the point of barely even being there. So scary. I'm still a little nervous driving. I'm driving slightly like an old person, but I haven't gotten over the fear quite yet. I am still so thankful that God protected me, and also the other people on the road that I could have accidentally hurt. He is good.

Life

It seems like my life just gets busier and busier. Someone asked me yesterday how my week had been and I could barely remember what had went on! Thankfully today has been a lighter day on teaching, and no errands, so I was able to slow down a little bit.

I taught two lessons this morning and finished at 1:30. I had a wonderful plan to then spend my afternoon outside on my back patio, soaking up some sun, but not as I walked my student out the door I noticed the sun that was in the sky an hour and a half earlier was now gone. Within minutes I began to hear thunder. So that squashed my dreams of a suntan.

Instead I curled up on my couch, and enjoyed the cooler air coming through the windows as I listened to it rain, and watched  some Real Housewives.

While I was watching that the mail went, which is by far the  most exciting part of my day, not going to lie. I'm not exactly sure what I think is going to come in the mail, but I always get way more excited with anticipation than a normal person.

I had a box full of mail, and only ONE item was mine. I'm getting mail from previous tenets here. Which is weird because I have lived here for almost a year and never received mail for this couple, but all of the sudden I am getting tons of stuff. There are going to be alot oh HS and College Graduates in Minnesota who are disappointed that this couple did not attend their graduation parties.

Randomly, Monday morning I was in my master bath finishing my hair and makeup and someone was knocking on my door. I looked out my bedroom window and didn't recognize the truck so i ignored them but they kept knocking. I finally went downstairs and it was another old tenant whose Aunt had sent her a package to my address. One would think your Aunt would know that you moved but apparently not. Lucky for the lady the Post office had left me a slip to pick it up, so her package was at the post office. 

I know this is like the most interesting blog post ever.

But I decided I was putting too much pressure on myself to be a cool girl blogger. Everyone and their mother's brother has a blog and wants to do it to be famous or make money. I just want to write about my life.

I was looking at years past and it was so much fun to remember different things I had done with my friends, and read my writing. Unfortunately for everyone else, I realized that I really am stinking hilarious  just when i'm myself. I was laughing reading my writing and wit. Sooo even if no one else thinks i'm funny, which trust me, I tell jokes to my students and I will be sitting there laughing and they will be looking at me like i am nuts. #awkward

So end of point, I'm just going to blog whatever random stuff comes into my head, random things that i think about, stuff i do, and not feel like i have to keep a schedule or post about certain things. I'm just going to blog me.

But right now I need to figure out why there is a strange truck in my neighbors moped parking space, who just went up to his door. put something into his mailbox and then got back in his truck and is sitting there... weird. 

Tales from the Piano Bench

For months now my bff has been telling me that I should keep track of all  the funny things that happen to me while I'm teaching. Tonight's hilarious little student sealed the deal! So without further adiue my new series-Tales from the Piano Bench!

I seriously have the best Piano Students! I was cranky this evening (forgot to have caffeine today!) and little E showed up, 5 years old and full of spunk. She is just hilarious!

We were playing the Piano Board game and one of her pieces was down very low in the Bass clef, which she thinks sounds creepy and scary, so I had told her that if she played the low notes loud I might have nightmares and have to sleep with my stuffed doggie.

So she moves her piece and hits another low bass note much louder than she intended, sweet little girl jumps, and looks apologetically up at the ceiling and whispers, "sorry doggie, I didn't mean to wake you up!"

I kind of feel like I should be paying her parents for the joy of spending 30 mins with her!

Earlier this week I was teaching a sweet little girl, who noticed this picture sitting on top 

of my Piano. She pointed to it and asked me what it was.

I said that was Miss Charity when she was a very little girl, a year and a half old, playing 

around on the Piano! She looks at it thoughtfully and then says:

"Hmm.. That explains why it looks SO old!!!!!"

Makeup-Skin-Makeup Forever

The absurdity of me blogging about my makeup routine is not lost upon me, especially since I could not for the life of me get my eyeliner on straight this morning!

Around the age of 29 I began to realize my skin was changing. I never had many breakouts as a teen and was blessed with good skin. For many years, prolly around 10 or so, I only used Cover Girl Powder as my foundation. When I was at PCC and wearing heavy makeup to be on stage I would use the Liquid Foundation that went with it, to spackle it all on. But in my normal days I would only use powder.

This continued for years upon years until, like I said I began to notice a change in my skin. I vividly remember looking at pictures of me and my friend April when we got together in Iowa over Thanksgiving and realizing that my skin looked diseased! Clearly my powder was not cutting it. I have now also developed a very uneven skin tone.

Complicating these matters is the fact that I have a VERY VERY Oily nose, and forehead. My chin isn't too bad, but my nose is an oil factory. Late last summer I decided I needed to do SOMETHING and started trying different kinds of drugstore foundations and powder. It was clear to me I needed both, foundation for the coverage and powder to help with the oil. I bought bottle after bottle and nothing worked. My nose would get even more oily with the makeup, and I developed horrible break outs. I remember one day I tried Revlon and put my hand on my face in the late morning and the makeup literally slid off of my face into my hand. It.was.disgusting.

Around that time I started working pt around some cosmetology girls and was introduced to Sephora.I thought it was neat, but I really didn't want to spend alot of money. I had been used to buying makeup at CVS and doing their beauty club. But after trying every brand there and not having any success I decided that I might need a higher end of makeup to fix my problems.

Still being thrifty I didn't want to spend more money on something I didn't know if I would like, so I did a LOT of research. I read some beauty bloggers whose makeup i liked, such as PinkLouLou. I read her makeup routine and then read all of the reviews on the foundation she recommended.

I finally made my choice and bought Makeup Forever's Mat Velvet Foundation. I wear #15

Some of you right now are dying over the price. I did too. BUT here's the thing. When they say a little goes a long way with this product, they mean it! My first bottle lasted 5 1/2 months.  Which means I paid about 6.45 a month for it. I spent way more than that with all the drugstore products I bought, than with this product that WORKS! No more oily nose, no more uneven skin tone, my skin looks amazing in pictures now!

I pair the foundation with the Duo Mat Powder Foundation- I wear 200

This doesn't last as long, but usually for me at least 3 1/2 months.

Finally, I finish up with what I can only describe as MIRACULOUS for my skin, HD Microfinish Powder.

This stuff rocks my socks off! It's a translucent powder that sets your makeup. I've found that when I don't use this, my nose will get a little oily, especially on the sides, but with this powder it really sets it and gives me that Matte finish, no oil, beautiful looking skin! You have to be careful how much you apply or else you can look a little ghost like.

So those are my skin pics for makeup. My advice to you if you are thinking of buying non drugstore makeup is to research and test if at all possible! We don't have a Sephora here so I had to purchase online. I'm not sure about their return policy but Sephora's customer service is really outstanding! the one time I had to call I only waited 30 seconds to speak with a live person!

My other advise is to sign up for a service such as Birchbox. You get high end samples (and usually at least one full sized item) per month. It's an easy and fun! way to test out different makeup and hair products without having to spend much money. If you want to join follow my link so I can get points for it  https://www.birchbox.com?raf=fxqjd! Oh yes, you get points for every purchase and once you receive your box you can give a review of the products you got, usually takes 1-2 minutes. And you get 10 points per review! 100 points means 10.00 off! Sweet!

Life according to my camera phone

 I got a sample of the press on stickers for nails. I LOVE them! this one had several different stones on it. I will def. be buying some!

 I was so excited to see one lone dandelion outside my patio door. Sadly, since the rain it has washed away. Sniffles.

 Last week it rained and rained and rained. Inbetween the storms I caught this beautiful cloud.

 First time wearing sandals this year!!!

 The March snowstorm that brought us 7? inches of snow!

Another shot of the clouds. So pretty!!!

Routine

It's funny how my routine has changed drastically this year.

For the past 9 years of working in an office I would get up super early, immediately get in the shower, and get ready. Then go to my living room and get online, until 10 mins before I needed to leave when I would have breakfast. Normally I would get up a little over an hour before I needed to leave. I hate spending alot of time getting ready in the morning especially when I could be sleeping!

Now I typically don't teach until 1 at the earliest, so I can sleep in, which helps since I have went back to being a night owl, which helps since I teach in the evenings.

However now I like to get up about 2 1/2 hours before I have to teach or go somewhere. Throw my glasses on and mosey downstairs where I get online and surf the net. Somehow along the way I've developed a habit of watching tv after surfing the net. So'll usually watch something on netflix while i eat my breakfast.

I finally go and shower and throw makeup on and make myself presentable. It's nice not having to rush anymore, but the funny thing is now that i'm not constantly staring at the clock making sure i'm on time while i do my makeup and hair, I'm actually faster at getting ready!

Even though my routine has changed the one thing that remains the same is how much I love A routine. Once I have one, I do the same thing every day, exactly in order. People often tease me if they are around me when I'm getting ready because day in and day out it's the same thing in a row.

I have to say, I am in LOVE with my new life and new routine! I'm looking forward to switching up just a little bit when summer comes. That's right, I'm hitting up the pool before I teach! :)

So I am alive

Some of you may have been beginning to wonder.

For the past two weeks I have had the worst sinus and ear infection I have had in my 2 years post surgery. I have been MISERABLE. And exhausted. So blogging hasn't been anywhere on my to do list, but now that I'm slowly getting better hopefully I will write more!

I had to go to the ENT today for my year check up, and he wanted to see me since i'd been so sick. I fully expected to be there all afternoon but to my shock i was in and out in 20 mins. And that was with him actually talking to me for several minutes! I'm still in disbelief over that.

So he told me some things to do, and hopefully they will help. One of my Piano Moms is very knowledgeable about holistic health. She's actually studying it right now. So she is hooking me up with some vitamins and supplements. Very cool! She gave me some emergen-c to try. It's a drink mix. I haven't tested it yet, I'm planning on doing that tonight. And at her son's next lesson she's bringing a super supplement which I'm pretty excited about. I can't remember what it's called though! Whoops! So I'm excited to try that, after I run it by my Dr just to be safe. Hopefully that will help with all of my bugs I get from my students!

In other news, spring has finally sprung and it is BEAUTIFUL!!!! The sun is shining, the birds are chirping outside my window every morning, which is actually pleasant to listen to! It's warmed up enough that I have turned my heat off and have the windows open. Ahhh. FRESH AIR!!!

I got my little patio chairs out last friday and cleaned them and set them out so I could start going outside and getting a tan while enjoying the weather. Of course I looked at the today and somehow they are dirty now. Rats! I may have to look into some cushions. I would really like a porch swing for my patio. I LOVE porch swings!!!!

And now it's time for me to teach!! Ciao!

wiww-mashup of misc outfits

So here's the deal, when you teach a large amount of little people, especially when you are a Piano teacher in very close contact, you get A LOT of germs. The past week I have had two different illnesses from little people. So the majority of my outfits have been yoga pants and comfy tops as I have laid on my couch sick. If anyone has tips on great immunity boosting vitamins, ect, please share them! Disinfecting the keyboard and using hand sanitize is not cutting it for the airborne germs.

 Please ignore the lipstick on my teeth. I struggle.

Random Facts about me

1. Several years ago I submitted a story to Dr Phil ( about someone who had scammed me) and was interviewed by one of his producers to be a potential guest. Alas, my entire family is the opposite of me, and super private, so no Dr Phil. :(

2. I love Dr Phil. He is the only thing I miss about having live television. I used to dvr his show every single day. I wish I could buy DVD's of his seasons!

3. I am thrilled to finally go back to my night owl self. I hit bed between 11-midnight each night now!

4. This might just be 3 facts about me. I can't think of anything else!

5. I am obsessed with this punch my mom made for my birthday. A can of pineapple juice, a packet of crystal light pink lemonade, and 7-up. I think I've consumed more pineapple juice in the past 3-4 weeks than I have in my 31 years of life.

6. I have filled out stuff lately that has made me check the 30-34 age box. It pains me.

7.  Every year or so I go completely through my clothes and get rid of tons. Stuff I haven't worn. Stuff I don't  like. Stuff that doesn't fit. Ok I do it more than that, maybe every 6 months. I get a thrill out of a clean closet, and getting rid of stuff.

8. I started watching Damages on Netflix this weekend. The first season was interesting. The second is just weird. And I still can't get over how easily people have other people killed!!

9. I left my phone upstairs by accident for 2 hours and I was too lazy to walk back upstairs to retrieve it. The entire time it was upstairs however I kept reaching for my phone to text things.

10. This was a really boring list.

Life around these parts..

So it's been an off sort of a week around here.

Monday during my second lesson of the afternoon I was struck with sickness out of nowhere. That wasn't embarrassing at all. I spent the remainder of my afternoon/evening trying not to get sick again and figure out what was wrong with me! I really thought maybe I had food poisoning as I had eaten not too long before I got sick. But Tuesday I was still feeling sick, and was very tired and achy. So I spent Tuesday on my couch and in my bed.

Apparently I am not the only one this is hitting as some of my students today have cancelled due to sickness. I am very much looking forward to summer and not having so many germs around. It's been a rough winter for sicknesses.

I'm still adjusting to life as a Piano Teacher full time. My schedule changes somewhat each week, with missed lessons and make up lessons, and people moving their spots. So I don't really have a standard week per say.

I'm really excited about spring and summer coming and being able to go outside and enjoy the weather, now that I'm not stuck in an office and actually have free time!

It's so weird having free time. Like this afternoon, I have a 4 hour break in between students, so I watched a movie on Netflix. I hardly ever watch movies, much less during the day! It's kind of weird but it's also kind of nice!

I've learned that I really like grocery shopping and just walking around Target during the day. There aren't tons of people there, and those who are there are SAHM's and their kids. It's nice not having to compete with the after work crowd for groceries.

I'm still getting used to the wardrobe change as well. After 6+ years of full time office work I had little to no casual clothing. Don't even get me started on the lack of shorts and warm weather clothes. So i'm trying to get some casual clothing and re-figure out my style now that I'm in a casual setting.

Last week I got 3 colored t-shirts at Target and it was the first time i've bought t-shirts like that in probably 8 years? I still don't have enough jeans for the week. Still trying to work on that.

It's a fun change, but it's definitely a change!

My church is doing a 21 day no complaining challenge. It was very difficult at first, re-learning how to talk without complaining! I have learned alot about myself and what I struggle with. However, I am really seeing the rewards of not complaining! I have a much better attitude, even while driving! In the interest of being honest, Tuesday night I did complain because I was sick.

It's been interesting to see how many people use social media to complain! Especially with our weather situation. It's Indiana in March. Anything can happen! Last week it was in the 60's, and now on Sunday-Monday we're getting several inches of snow. For some reason I think this is absolutely hilarious! It just cracks me up! Winter will not last forever, it will be warm soon and then people will complain about it being too hot. So I am just going to try and enjoy every day that God gives us, and find something good about it to be grateful for!

Date night with Audie and Cubbie!

 Wednesday night after I was done teaching I went over to Audra's house to have a date night with her and my Cubbawubs! He was sooo excited to see me! Audra had told him I was coming and when i pulled in he was at the door looking for me! Sooooo sweet!!

 I love my Cubs! I had so much fun snuggling with him and loving on him! After dinner we sat in the family room and cubs and i were on the couch and i was petting him while we talked. It was hilarious because if I stopped petting him, even for a second, he would turn and look at me like,um, excuse me, what do you think you're doing?! That poodle cracks me up!!

We tried to take a picture of the three of us and this is what happened. HA! Cubs hasn't quite mastered the self portrait! But at least Audra and I look cute!! Love getting to spend time with my sweet friend! Funny note, I was there until 10 pm, and didn't realize what time it was until Auds told me. She had to make fun of me because before when I was working in an office I would leave by 8:30 pm so I could go home and be in bed by 9:30 at the latest. Now that I teach full time, and don't teach until the afternoons I stay up late. I am no longer a Grandma :)

Hairs Cut!

 Tuesday the fabulous Bryna came over and CUT my hair! YAY!!! I was soooo ready! She cut an inch off of the front and 6!!!! inches off of the back! She gave me a stacked bob! Its a little shorter than what I planned on but I REALLY like it!! It gets cuter each day!

She also cut me some bangs which I have been enjoying! Playing around with some on each side, and then just on side side today. What I love the most is how EASY it is to style and dry everyday!! It was taking me over 20 mins just to dry and style my hair before, because I have massively thick hair. Now it takes about 2 minutes! I love it!! It's soooo much lighter, I'm not hot like I used to be covered in hair! And it feels so sassy!! She also put some cute blonde highlights in as well! Another job well done!!

wwiw

So here we have Thursday's look. Thursday was a day full of running around and errands. I went casual with an old navy t, a blue t shirt scarf my mom made me, jeans, and my fake uggs.

I remembered while running around why I hate wearing socks and shoes! I got SO HOT! I felt like I was burning up! First thing I did upon arriving back home was TAKE OFF THE SHOES AND SOCKS!!

One of my errands was exchanging a pair of jeans at Old Navy, and much to my distaste that involved trying several pairs of jeans on. What I learned. I am not made for skinny jeans. And, trying on said skinny jeans also makes you very hot. It does not help if you do not have good coordination to start with. Yes, I fell down in the dressing room. It wasn't pretty. Neither was my hair after I got done. I was so hot from the jeans experience that I put it up into a pony tail and looked pretty egregious by the time I arrived home. So I did what I do only maybe 3 times a year. I straightened my hair. I figured I was allready hot and sweaty, might as well straighten my hair! I couldn't believe how long it was. I'm getting it cut on Tuesday so it was a nice final shebang!

Friday was my Birthday Party dinner, I wore my new old navy jeans that i sweated for and a new old navy top i had bought several weeks ago for my party! I felt like such a cool blogger when i figured out a rig for my camera outside. I'm sure the neighbors wondered what I was doing out there but hey. Yes that is snow on the ground. We got 5 inches on Tuesday and by Friday it was in the 40's and melting. On Sunday we hit 70. Welcome to Indiana!!

 Here we are Monday. I tried a look from puttingmetogether.com a great blog I found of a worship leader in Cali. She rolls of her pants to give them a new look and rolls up her cardigans and sleeves as well. I thought it made my outfit look a bit more interesting. I wish I had a different cardi other than the white one but it worked.

It was a wee bit chilly outside that day! I would say more but my church is doing a 21 day no complaining challenge! and it's a CHALLENGE!!!

I have no outfit pics from Tuesday as I wore my old school Drew Brees Purdue Jersey and leggings. :) Stay tuned for my haircut transformation!

Birthday Dinner At Olive Garden!

 So every year for the past 13 years I have been going to Olive Garden for a Birthday Dinner Celebration with friends! I started when I was away in Florida at College and have continued into my adult years! It's no secret that I *LOVE* me some OG. So much that my friends that don't live here ask me when I'm going there for my birthday! This year we went a week after since I was sick, and I had the BEST time!!! Above is me and Bunny (the only Bunny I like!) with what the waiter gave me. He stuck a candle into one of their mints and lit it! So cute!!

 I heart my Jboz. I have missed her and Bunny! I normally don't see them unless it's a holiday celebration, somehow I've weaseled my way into the Boz familys shindigs :) or if I'm at my Dr's office, as Jboz works in the Peds thats connect to my drs so i always visit her when i'm there! one stop shop! Another reason I love Bunny and Jboz, other their their sweetness and hilarity of course, is that they are MY HEIGHT!! Finally some friends that aren't short!! Hallelujah!

 Me and my Emboz. Bless her heart she is on the South Beach diet and can't eat anything fun, yet she went to Firehouse with me on my BDay and came tonight. That is a true friend!!!

 My Beautiful Audra! I think this is the best picture we have ever taken! So much that I have allready sent it to Walgreens to be printed out into a 4 by 6 to go into one of my new frames!

 Sweet Audra gave me this springy wreath! I have been wanting one for my door, I still have my heart up from valentines day! I'm excited to hang this up tomorrow!!

My Girls. Such a FUN group of girls! I think I have the funniest friends of anyone out there! And the prettiest too if I do say so myself! Grateful for them and their friendship and them celebrating with me!

wwiw-The Struggling Edition

 I only have a few outfits this week, as most of my time has been spent in my pjs on the couch battling the fever virus my student gave to me. Here I am Monday. I had planned to teach that afternoon, as my fever had been down in the am, but after showering and getting ready I was wiped out and my fever was up again.  I did manage to teach my late evening lesson by the grace of God and lots of medicine!!

 Here I am Tuesday. We are in the midst of a Winter Storm and I celebrated the fact that I'm a Piano teacher and don't have to go out in nasty weather by wearing my new favorite skirt! I would like to say that in real life the sweater matched the skirt perfectly. But in pictures in appears pink. I swear it's not.

I told my friends I felt like Punky Brewster. I was proud of myself for mixing patterns, my shirt is actually white with small black polka dots. And adding a turquoise necklace instead of the matching purple one I had picked out. Not totally sure if it worked, but at least I tried! And yes, I'm aware I was having a bad hair day. Not too long after these pics the hair went up into a pony tail.

I taught for an hour and a half straight and in that time 1.9 inches of snow fell!! Because I had one more piano student for the night, I decided to clean off my porch and my neighbors (we share it) with my ice scraper for my truck. I'm such a nice neighbor:)

 And here we are today. I'm having an egregious hair day and I have no eye liner on. Be glad i'm not in my sweats!!!

I'm not really sure whats going on with my foot here. I guess this is what happens when you change the side that you put your hand on your hip and pop your leg! Bless my heart.